Publisher's Summary

Dinesh D'Souza, the most original and controversial writer on politics and society in the U.S. today, uncovers the links between the spread of American pop culture, leftist ideas, and secular values and the rise of anti-Americanism throughout the world.

In The Enemy at Home, D'Souza makes the startling claim that the 9/11 attacks and other terrorist acts around the world can be directly traced to the ideas and attitudes perpetrated by America's cultural left.

D'Souza shows that liberals - people like Hillary Clinton, Ted Kennedy, Barney Frank, Bill Moyers, and Michael Moore - are responsible for fostering a culture that angers and repulses not just Muslim countries but also traditional and religious societies around the world. Their outspoken opposition to American foreign policy, including the way the Bush administration is conducting the war on terror, contributes to the growing hostility, encouraging people both at home and abroad to blame America for the problems of the world. He argues that it is not our exercise of freedom that enrages our enemies but rather our abuse of that freedom, from the sexual liberty of women to the support of gay marriage, birth control, and no-fault divorce, and the aggressive exploitation of our vulgar, licentious popular culture.

The cultural wars at home and the global war on terror are usually viewed as separate problems. In this groundbreaking book, D'Souza shows that they are one and the same. It is only by curtailing the left's attack on religion, family, and traditional values that we can persuade moderate Muslims and others around the world to cooperate with us and to begin to shun the extremists in their own countries.

Conservative rant

If you want to hear someone for 11 hours talk about how he things gays should say they’re gay and similarly incredible thinking, go right ahead. I’m returning this.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Sort by:

Overall

5 out of 5 stars

Lance

27-03-2007

Well worth the time

Core hypothesis/theme of the book is excellent. Ultimately the class of book this comes from is one where the intelligentsia read and critique one another and thus much of this material can be seen as overly or harshly critical of others work and/or ideas. Its a book defending the core insights and thus a political not a history book.

Frankly, I would have found it more interesting had it developed more of the historical context for the development of the book themes. Nonetheless, hard to argue the core theme that the illiberal left is imposing its morality upon not only the right at home, but also upon the more religious/belief centric "developing and non-developing" world. The crazy thing as alluded to in the book is that both the right and left continue to do this here in the US. Where are the true liberals?

Would like to have seen more detailed examples of how the illiberal leftist institutions are imposing their morality, though their rhetoric and the examples alluded to lead me to believe one would find fire behind the smoke.

Would also like to have seen more discussion about the illogic behind the illiberal left and Bin Laden pairing, what the world would look like if Bin Laden or other leader joined with the right in attacking the left. How would the fact that the number of muslims in the US is on par with jews, yet the political influence is less impact such a discussion? Seems far more logical that this will be a future state of the world than a illiberal left and islamic pairing (though a handicapper would likely put 2008 election firmly in this very state). Makes one wonder about the true motives about BinLaden and/or if he is still alive.

Anyway, fantastic book, perhaps as this review, a bit long winded and unfocused, but at least with the book unlike this review you will have the opportunity to thoughtfully consider 911 in a context that fortunately or unfortunately is likely to have relevance in the years to come.

22 of 30 people found this review helpful

Overall

5 out of 5 stars

Ron Egolf

21-03-2007

FINALLY, Someone gets it!!

Once I started listening to this book, I could not stop. Finally, there is someone out there who has actually put the pieces together and is able to clearly explain the hows and whys of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in a way that is both logical and understandable. The author will not make too many Liberal friends, but his writing is fair and from what I can assess, accurate.

24 of 34 people found this review helpful

Overall

5 out of 5 stars

Ron

08-02-2010

Why the USA is looked upon as the Great Satan

I had some skepticism on seeing the subtitle of this book because I thought it was just another right wing poke at the left. However after listening to the content, I began to see that the current permissiveness of our culture compared to other cultures, specifically Muslim culture, has led to the hatred of our country by the Muslims, with even more hatred than is directed at the nation of Israel. I then had some doubt that one could point at the left as the cause of this permissiveness which was quickly dissipated on listening to an overwhelming amount of evidence. I think the author gave a very even handed account of the events and causes of 9/11. I think it would to everyone's benefit, whether left or right wing to read or listen to this book. It certainly is an opinion you will not hear anywhere in the news media, even on the Fox News channel. The narrator was very easy to listen to and I plan to listen to this several more times as the ideas are very profound and take more than one listen to grasp fully.

7 of 10 people found this review helpful

Overall

1 out of 5 stars

Performance

2 out of 5 stars

Story

1 out of 5 stars

Alan Glazwski

22-07-2018

Illogical argument

This confused Muslim apologetics book only advocates that we as Americans a bandit traditional allies and sources of western influence in favor of alliances with terrorists and what is perceived as conservative values. The arguments are illogical mostly in the way that it proposes that Islam hates America because of moral ground and not because of Geo political choices but then goes on to discuss all the Geo political choices that alienate Muslim countries.It conflates different groups under the banner of left in order to try to make a confused point about who the enemy really is. The book basically advocates against freedom of speech freedom of religion women’s rights minority rights and gay rights as moral depravity is that should be illuminated so that Muslim countries will love us

Overall

5 out of 5 stars

Performance

5 out of 5 stars

Story

5 out of 5 stars

JS

08-04-2018

An eye opener

Amazing factual book. Calling people out for what they are. But this book!! ❤️❤️❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 we need to win this war

Overall

5 out of 5 stars

Performance

4 out of 5 stars

Story

5 out of 5 stars

GEORGE COE

11-01-2016

I wish I had found this book years ago!

What made the experience of listening to The Enemy at Home the most enjoyable?

Compelling, eye-opening, informative.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Historical and cultural information

Which character – as performed by Lloyd James – was your favorite?

Lloyd did a great job reading the author's words.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, if I only had the time. Great for listening while doing boring house work.

Any additional comments?

Excellent! I love Dinesh and I'm looking forward to the movie.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Overall

4 out of 5 stars

James

19-03-2010

A Big Picture View Of Our Country

I really liked this book and the way that the author paints a big political picture view of "what's wrong with our country". I do agree that until we start getting along better with each other here at home... the enemy across the seas is the least of our worries.

Good reading!

3 of 6 people found this review helpful

Overall

5 out of 5 stars

BRUCE

08-05-2007

Excellent

This book not only made me think anew about the important issues of the day, it was an interesting listen. Not sure I agree with all of the conclusions, but the book is well-argued.

6 of 12 people found this review helpful

Overall

5 out of 5 stars

N McMurrer

14-04-2007

The Enemy Within

Very insightful and provocative! The author analyzes the arguments of the right and left.

7 of 16 people found this review helpful

Overall

1 out of 5 stars

Basu

05-03-2007

What a piece of trash!

I have been a D'Souza fan after reading the "What's so great about America" and Illebral Education. Really enjoyed powerful logical case made in both of those books. What a disappointment was to listen this book comletely lacking any cohesive thought in the book. Name calling and conservative demagogary is the central theme (if there is any) of the book. This is a "must not recommend" on my list.

25 of 62 people found this review helpful

Sort by:

Overall

1 out of 5 stars

Kerry

21-05-2008

rubbish

what a load of tosh don't read! the right taking no responsibility. It was the right not the left that voted George - illegally invade iraq - bush in - nuff said!